掃除機
Meanings
1
vacuum cleaner; vacuum; hoover
The ordinary word for a household vacuum cleaner. The common expression 掃除機をかける means to vacuum a room, floor, carpet, and so on.
I vacuumed my room over the weekend.
This vacuum cleaner is light and easy to use.
2
cleaning device; cleaning apparatus
Only when written 掃除器
Broader use restricted to the spelling 掃除器, referring to a device used for cleaning rather than specifically a household vacuum cleaner.
At the factory, they use a special cleaning device to wash the inside of narrow pipes.
Usage patterns
- 掃除機で〈場所〉を掃除するto clean a place using a vacuum cleaner
I vacuumed every corner of the room with the vacuum cleaner.
- 掃除機の吸引力が強いa vacuum cleaner's suction power is strong
This vacuum cleaner has strong suction, so it picks up even fine dust well.
- 掃除機が壊れるa vacuum cleaner breaks down
The old vacuum cleaner suddenly broke down.
Expressions
- 掃除機をかけるvacuum; clean with a vacuum cleaner